Toddler Requires Surgery Following Surprise Kookaburra Attack in Mosman

Georges Heights Mosman
Photo Credit: Google Maps

A 2-year-old girl underwent surgery after a kookaburra unexpectedly attacked her, tearing a hole in her lip during a family picnic at Georges Heights in Mosman.



The incident occurred around midday when Jessica Bregenhoj and her daughter Paris were enjoying lunch in a popular beachside park shortly after Paris had attended a ballet lesson. The toddler was eating a pastry when a kookaburra swooped down and snatched it directly from her mouth, causing significant injury.

Jessica quickly administered first aid with the help of a passerby who assisted in cleaning the wound with saline. 

The severity of the injury led to Paris being rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital, where initial assessments by doctors suggested that stitches were necessary. Concerns regarding the depth of the cut resulted in the involvement of a plastic surgery team, who confirmed that the injury had penetrated through to Paris’s gums.

Despite the ordeal, Paris is recovering well and has been engaging in activities like colouring and playing with her family at home following her discharge from the hospital. Jessica expressed relief that her daughter wasn’t more seriously injured and emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant when eating outdoors.

Kookaburra attack in Mosman
Photo Credit: Unsplash

Following the incident, Jessica has advocated for installing warning signs in the area to alert others to the potential dangers of local wildlife. The Harbour Trust, which manages Georges Heights, has acknowledged the incident and plans to erect signs around food and beverage areas to educate the community on how to coexist with the native birds safely. 

Moreover, other local residents have shared similar experiences, highlighting a recurring issue with kookaburras behaving aggressively when food is present.



The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) reiterated the importance of not feeding wildlife and encouraged anyone who experiences aggressive bird interactions to report them to the appropriate authorities. They also provided guidelines on how to react safely if swooped by a bird.

Published 21-June-2024

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